Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dranesville, VA (2024 Update)
- Dranesville Solar Installation Cost: $20,263
- 25-Year Savings: $20,682
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dranesville
We go over average solar pricing in Dranesville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dranesville typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Dranesville, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $20,263, or $28,976 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dranesville find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Dranesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,664 |
| 3 years | $-15,466 |
| 5 years | $-12,268 |
| 7 years | $-9,070 |
| 9 years | $-5,872 |
| 11 years | $-2,674 |
| 13 years | $524 |
| 15 years | $3,722 |
| 17 years | $6,919 |
| 19 years | $10,117 |
| 21 years | $13,315 |
| 23 years | $16,513 |
| 25 years | $19,711 |
Top Solar Installers in Dranesville
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra time and know-how. For that reason, most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
If you're looking for a solar company in Dranesville, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Dranesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dranesville
While the average cost of a solar system in Dranesville is $20,263, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Dranesville, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,590 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Dranesville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dranesville to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Dranesville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Dranesville is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Additionally, some companies in Dranesville are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.73 | $15,681 | $11,259 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $15,414 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $19,770 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $24,327 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $29,085 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $34,045 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $39,205 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $44,566 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Dranesville, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Dranesville?
The average cost of solar panels in Dranesville is about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Dranesville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Dranesville. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Dranesville?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.